ثُمَّ خَلَقْنَا ٱلنُّطْفَةَ عَلَقَةً فَخَلَقْنَا ٱلْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةً فَخَلَقْنَا ٱلْمُضْغَةَ عِظَـٰمًا فَكَسَوْنَا ٱلْعِظَـٰمَ لَحْمًا ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَـٰهُ خَلْقًا ءَاخَرَ ۚ فَتَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ ٱلْخَـٰلِقِينَ 14
Translations
Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, and We made the clot into a lump [of flesh], and We made [from] the lump, bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allāh, the best of creators.
Transliteration
Thumma khalaqna al-nutfata alaqatan fa-khalaqna al-alaqata mudghatan fa-khalaqna al-mudghata 'izaman fa-kasawna al-'izama lahman thumma ansha'nahu khalqan akhara fa-tabaraka Allahu ahsanu al-khaliqin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the stages of human embryonic development: the nutfah (sperm-drop) becomes an alaqah (clinging thing/leech-like form), which becomes a mudghah (chewed lump), which then develops into bones ('izaam) clothed with flesh (lahm), and finally Allah brings forth a new creation—the ensoulment (ruh). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this precise sequence as a miracle of the Quran, anticipating modern embryology by centuries. The ayah concludes by glorifying Allah as the greatest of all creators (ahsan al-khaliqin), emphasizing divine wisdom and power in human creation.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Mu'minun (Chapter 23), a Meccan surah centered on the characteristics of true believers and proofs of divine lordship. It is part of a broader passage (23:12-14) that presents the stages of human creation as evidence of Allah's perfect design and power—a key argument against the polytheists' denial of resurrection and the afterlife.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3208): The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, 'Each of you is composed in the womb of your mother for forty days as a nutfah, then as an alaqah for forty days, then as a mudghah for forty days.' This hadith provides the temporal dimension to the Quranic stages. Additionally, Sahih Muslim (2643) contains a similar narration emphasizing the angel's role in writing the soul at 120 days.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites reflection on the miraculous nature of human creation, reminding believers of their complete dependence on Allah's power and design. For modern readers, it serves as a call to recognize the Quran's scientific accuracy and to appreciate the profound responsibility of being created with such intricate divine purpose.